Deputy Sheriff (Multiple Vacancies)

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

A Deputy Sheriff shall be a Law Enforcement Officer upon completion of training. A Deputy Sheriff should be energetic, competent, dependable, and efficient in order to carry out the duties and functions of the Sheriff's Office on a daily basis. They provide safety for the public by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, rendering first aid and arresting and prosecuting suspects who have violated the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The duties of a Deputy often require a great deal of physical stamina in dangerous or uncomfortable situations. The position requires that many functions be performed outdoors, regardless of the weather. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this posting.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age upon academy graduation and a United States citizen.
Must be free from convictions of disqualifying criminal offenses.
Must be able to read at no less than the ninth-grade level, as established through the administration of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.
Must possess a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License.
Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Must be able to complete a pre-employment physical fitness test to office standards.
Must have a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and acceptable driving record in accordance with County policy.
Must pass an office oral interview board and follow-up staff interview.
Must complete pre-employment educational and psychological testing (exceptions may be made for applicants who were former certified law enforcement officers within the previous 5-years).
Must complete and pass a pre-employment polygraph (exceptions may be made for applicants who were former certified law enforcement officers within the previous 5-years).
Must complete and pass a pre-employment background investigation and pre-employment drug screen.
Must complete a pre-employment Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Record (Child Line and abuse registry) - cost is the responsibility of the applicant.
Must be personally examined by a physician, physician’s assistant or certified nurse practitioner who is licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Upon hire, must successfully complete the deputy FTO program and a six-month probationary period.
Must be enrolled in the Deputy Sheriff's Training Academy within one year of employment, and successfully complete the academy and be certified by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency as a Deputy Sheriff.
After hire, must complete all subjects contained in the modules of the annual Deputy Sheriff's Training Board recertification training.
Failure to re-certify will result in termination of the deputy's commission as a Deputy Sheriff.
After hire, must successfully complete additional periodic training, as required.
Be able to relate to and/or communicate effectively and professionally with a variety of personality types during interpersonal contact. Also be able to reasonably identify and display basic non-verbal communications (body language).
Speak, read and write the English language in a clear, understandable fashion. Must be able to read at no less than the ninth-grade level, as established through the administration of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test.
Be able to apply reasoning skills when confronted with circumstances requiring discretionary decisions.
Possess the physical abilities to carry out the aforementioned essential functions.
Be able to formulate and carry out an appropriate course of action for a given situation for which no specific rule or procedure has been established.
Be able to apply theory-based instruction or training to actual incidents/situations.
Be able to handle situations in a firm, courteous, tactful and impartial manner, especially when under stress.
Be capable of receiving and giving instruction, and of maintaining self-control when receiving constructive criticism and/or being ridiculed.
Must be able to continue to perform all required tasks/duties at a professional level when faced with unpleasant circumstances. Must also be able to deal with the morbid, the macabre, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morose, the psychotic, the neurotic and the otherwise unpleasant or unusual facets or results of human behavior.

Responsibilities

Be able to communicate effectively and professionally with the public, other law enforcement agencies and court entities.
Be able to deal with children of all ages in a variety of situations, such as delinquents, minors requiring authoritative intervention, neglected, abused, runaways, lost, found, victims of crime, etc.
Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints.
Be able to apprehend suspects to the extent of engaging in foot pursuits while summoning assistance and/or engaging in the necessary use of force.
Be able to react and move rapidly from a sedentary to active state/condition in response to environmental situations or events.
Be able to assume a variety of bodily positions and postures necessary to employ available cover and concealment during a deadly force encounter.
Subdue resisting suspects using restraint and control techniques, weapons, and be able to use hands, feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
Be able to respond to a physical attack and possess the ability to escape the attacker and/or summon aid.
Render first aid to people who are experiencing a medical emergency, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rescue breathing, etc.
Monitor, report and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards and unusual or illegal activity.
Prepare investigative and other reports using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
Enforce the statutes of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, by preparing and submitting criminal complaints and summary citations, and assisting prosecuting the charges in court.
Be able to testify in court or in depositions.
Be able to appropriately relay information to and request resources from emergency services dispatchers.
Operate a law enforcement vehicle both day and night, and in emergency situations.
Be able to operate/utilize all office vehicle mounted equipment in a mobile or stationary mode.
Enforce the statutes of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, to include stopping vehicles and issuing traffic citations when properly certified. This shall be an ancillary duty.
Be able to discern colors as they are applied in traffic safety situations (electric signals, signing, hazardous materials placards, vehicle and clothing descriptions, etc.).
Be able to adequately judge distances and estimate speed.
Be able to see, read and recognize obstacles in a variety of normal and/or emergency environments.
Be able to direct traffic, sometimes for long periods of time, regardless of weather.
Be able to collect and document evidence.
Be aware of the rules of procedure regarding civil service and be able to effectively serve civil process.
Be able to verify and serve arrest warrants.
Be able to search defendants/prisoners for weapons or contraband.
Be able to transport prisoners/defendants on local transports and long-distance transports.
Be able to work courtroom security and have a working knowledge of each court’s security requirements.
Be able to work a security post and operate a magnetometer and X-ray machine and effectively communicate with the public.
Be able to operate office equipment, such as telephones, audio/visual devices, computer or workstation keyboards, calculators and security locking systems.
Must attend all trainings as assigned.
Must qualify yearly with handgun, shotgun and conducted electrical weapon (Taser), and pass all recertifications when required.
Shall be able to work all mandatory overtime.
Shall be available to work a variety of shifts and days, to include when assigned as the on-call Duty Deputy, or special details.
Work any and all duties as assigned by the Sheriff or Chief Deputy.